Category: Strength - Jethro TOOLS

The Rest

3/15/2026

Genesis 2:1-3
I find it interesting that we view rest as an escape from the present. We isolate ourselves from others and we insulate ourselves from normal surroundings to find rest. We leave for vacation to find rest from our daily hustle and bustle. We want to leave the snow, so we book a vacation to some place warm with sun and sand. Yet, it is a curious thing to examine Genesis 2 and see that God completed His work and stayed right where He was. He did not create a separate place for rest. In completing all of creation and making it perfectly good, God paused, stopped work, and rested. His creative goodness was on display because of His great all surpassing power. Everything was in perfectly completed just as He prescribed (1). As the work of creation ended God set aside one more day for the purpose of rest not work (2). This day was set apart as different from all the other days (3). Rest is a blessing after the labor of work. Rest is blessed by God, and by taking a day a week to rest we imitate God. Where do you find your rest? Do we travel to places we can hardly pronounce much less spell? Rest is not found in where we go, but in who we place our trust. We need to trust in God daily for strength, and be renewed by Him regularly through a day of rest. In creating the world God rested, not because He needed it, but because it was good. God is good, His work is good, and resting in Him is good. All creation is made to be a reminder of God’s good and perfect work that brings new life. All that God has created continually points us to His good work for us and in us. The beginning of all rest is based on God taking a day to rest. Are we taking time to rest?

For More See GENESIS

Challenge the Culture

2/1/2026

Colossians 1:9-12
What can weigh over 100 pounds and is known as a semi aquatic rodent? If you guessed the beaver, you would be correct. A beaver will work tirelessly to build dams that create and expand its water habitat. This increase in water allows the beaver greater mobility, protection and access to more abundant sources of food. However, a busy beaver will also create conditions that attract incests, birds and fish. As beaver influenced wetlands increase so also do the benefits for migratory birds, deer and moose increase. A simple beaver will work tenaciously to bring lasting change and influence its surrounding community. Believers in Jesus Christ are to do the same. We are called to bring the message of Jesus to a world that is dry and in desperate need of His life giving water (see John 4). We influence our world for Christ by appropriating His power and seeing Him use us to bring His lasting change within our community. In Colossians 1 Paul prays that God would supply this church with an abundant supply of the knowledge of His will (9). He prays the they would find spiritual stability in living for God (10), and the spiritual strength to patiently endure under pressure (11). The disciple who understands that their past is paid by Christ, and their future is secure in Christ, is presently able to live a life of joy that honors Christ (12). Regardless of the circumstances the believer finds their secure standing in Christ. Knowing that we belong to Christ we therefore have hope in all circumstances. From the position of spiritual security we are able to give joyful thanks to God. We are called to challenge our culture by living counter to our culture and spread the contagious joy of knowing Christ within our culture. When we do, God will use us to leave a lasting spiritual legacy that will influence our culture for Him.

For More See COLOSSIANS

Courage in the Culture

1/11/2026

Ephesians 3:12-21
Obstacles and opposition; these are the problems that courage overcomes. However, as I stood shaking, my courage was gone. Zip, zap, gone. It all started with an invitation to an obstacle course. Two unimposing poles stood in the clearing. The challenge was to climb the first pole, stand on the top and then jump and grab on to the second pole. Sounds easy, right? Even with safety ropes and a harness strapped to me the pole still swayed. Somehow I managed to climb up and stand on the flat top of the pole that was no larger than a small dinner plate. That is when it hit. I lost all courage and excitement for this insane adventure. It is amazing how I could stand on almost nothing and the eight feet to the next pole was an impossible leap of faith. I froze in fear. I had lost my courage to overcome the obstacle. The same in true in our lives. Fear keeps us from moving forward, while faith motivates us with the knowledge that nothing will harm us. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church, chapter three is the transitional hinge from theological truths to practical application. Paul closes the first half of the letter with a prayer for their inner strength (16). He does not pray for external or physical solutions, instead, he prays for their inner perspective. He desires that they know Christ and His power and love for them (17-19). At the point of salvation the believer in Jesus positionally comes into instant possession of all the resources available in Christ. Paul is challenging His readers to not only believe in their head, but know experientially by faith, the vast resources of Christ that give freedom to live courageously for Christ. Knowing Christ is like the safety line on the obstacle course. That relationship allows us to courageously take steps of faith in obedience to Christ call. That perspective and practice is counter to our culture.

For More See EPHESIANS

Prayer of One

4/6/2025

Luke 22:39-46
Perhaps you have seen over tired children have an emotional meltdown. It is not a pretty sight. All they will do is stand there and cry. If you ask them what is wrong they just cry and say, “I don’t know.” If you tell them that it is time to go to bed they will say through their tears, “But I’m not tired.” It is then that parental psychology along with great patience kicks in. As adults, we are just grown up children. We have learned how to manage the pressures of life by implementing what we have learned as children. God has designed the human body to respond to life’s pressures in various ways. The disciples of Jesus were no different. They were emotionally and mentally worn out with sorrow over Jesus coming death (45). Their natural response was to sleep to gain the strength to deal with the upcoming problem. Yet Jesus challenged them not to respond to life’s problems by not doing the first natural thing. In verse 46 He asked “Why are you sleeping?” Jesus wanted the disciples to know the power found in prayer to deal with the pressures. The temptation is to do what is natural. For a child it is stand there and cry. For the disciples it was sleep. When we pray we do what is unnatural to our human sensibilities. When we pray we find God strengthening us so we do not give into temptation of believing that God is incapable of working in the situation. Through prayer we can find God’s strength to stand under the pressures of life’s problems. Jesus showed the disciples the importance of responding on a spiritual level and gain God’s strength for life’s problems. Likewise, we need to do what is unnatural and pray for God’s strength rather than cry about the problem or trying to sleep off the problem.

For More See LUKE

The Song of the Church

9/22/2024

1 Timothy 3:14-16
In the days before internet there were mail order catalogs from companies like Sears or JC Penny. It was from these catalogs that you could order almost anything from jackets to jewelry or jeans, they had it all. On those long winter nights my father would pull out the catalog and tell us a story. He was a man of many talents, including an educated imagination. Dad would open the catalog to men’s section and pick a character, then flip through the catalog telling a story about this one man and his escapades. For example, the man would go to town to get a washing machine as a Christmas present for his wife. However, the story would have a problematic plot twist, like lots of snow that caused the man’s car to get stuck. So, he would buy snow boots and sled to pull the washing machine home and have Christmas with the family. Through the turning pages of the catalog, my father would point out different people and items that would visually make his story leap off the pages and into our imaginations. Catalog stories were a household activity that built the relational bonds within our family. In much the same way Paul tells Timothy that the church is to be a place of relationships in a household, and a pillar of strength and foundational support (14-15). Believers in Jesus, and the local church body that they form, need to be intentionally relational in their commitment to each other. Together their lives are built on the truth of scripture. Together they have a story to tell of Jesus who has saved them that will be remembered for generations. Just as my father made our relationship come alive through his stories, believers belonging to the local church also have a story of truth and songs of faith reminding them of their relationship with Jesus. Are you connected to a church family for support and strength?

For More See 1 TIMOTHY

Learning the Word

6/30/2024

2 Timothy 3:14-17
Our days can be busy, seemingly impossible, and at times we might even be disoriented and in need of direction. Through all of life directions are given to us in order to guide us. Drivers follow road signs and road maps. Carpenters follow blueprints for building a house. Pilots are trained to follow the instruments in their plane. Even if we are lost in the woods we know that moss grows on the North side of trees in the northern hemisphere, water always flows down hill, and the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. In life we have resources that provide direction and keep us from being disoriented. In much the same way God has given us His word to keep us from being spiritually disoriented. As Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3, he reminds this young pastor that his life has been influenced by Scripture (14). Previously he reminded Timothy that his mother and grandmother faithfully instilled Scriptural truth through their teaching and example (2 Timothy 1:5) leading him to salvation in Christ (15). Like Timothy, we can see that God has given His word to equip us with a spiritual roadmap. It comes down to believing that God is God and His word carries His authority. He, as the true supreme authority, inspired and directed the Biblical authors in their writing (16) to write His exact words. When we value God and His word we will allow it to teach us and equip us for His service (17). Our life and service will only have substance and direction when we base our lives on God and His word. Reading the word of God daily, pondering its truth and doing what it says will strengthen our faith and keep us from being disoriented as we focus on Christ.

For More See 2 TIMOTHY

Temptation

4/16/2023

Matthew 4:1-11
Temptation, how can we overcome it and how can we prepare for it? It was a very hot day and I was thirsty. In the middle of that day I faced a huge temptation to take a case of juice that was in a shopping cart in the middle of a store parking lot. Someone forgot to put it in their vehicle. No one was around so I picked it up… and then returned it to the customer service desk. I really could have used it, but I chose not to take it because taking it would not have pleased God. In Matthew 4:1-11 Satan tempts Jesus to do his bidding and submit to him, but Jesus rejected each temptation. After each temptation He quotes Scripture to combat the specific temptation placed before him. There are four ways that we can address the temptations that come into our lives. First, we need to be aware of Satan’s temptations by being watchful for our own pride and human weaknesses. Second, we need to prepare for temptations by spending time with God and His Word. Third, we will declare that God alone is worthy of our worship. In contrast, Satan’s desire is for us to submit and follow him rather than God. Finally, we need to care for others who are tempted, and point them to Jesus, our savior, who will help them and give them hope. Finally, our view of God will affect our attitude toward others who are struggling with temptations. When we are under the pressures of temptation we need to keep our eyes on Jesus and follow His solutions for life. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that God will give the strength to stand up under the temptations that we face. Do we believe that God is greater than Satan and our temptations? What we believe will affect the way we live.

For more see MATTHEW or TEMPTATION

Follow God's Lead

9/5/2021

Exodus 7:1-13
Some of you may groan, while some of you will shout with joy. Why? Well, in a couple of months we will see our first snow. The arrival of snow brings various winter activities including hockey. In the game of hockey the opposing teams try to score on the opposite goal. When some of the rules of play are broken a penalty is assessed. The player charged with the penalty is removed from playing for at least two minutes while his team must play shorthanded. That is called a power play. With this advantage the stronger team presses to score a goal over the weaker team. In much the same way we see a power play take place in Exodus 7:1-13, except Pharaoh incorrectly believes that he has the advantage. God makes His plan of action very clear to Moses (1-4) and outlines His purpose (5). God states what He will do and that the goal is for the Egyptians to know that He is the LORD. God directs Moses with His ability and works by His power (8-13) to display His strength to Pharaoh. For us today we must follow God’s leading. Like Moses, the advancement of God’s message should be our passion. We must believe that the plans of God are only accomplished through God’s power, while the resistance to God’s message is God’s problem. As believers in Jesus Christ we are called to live these principles by faith following His leadership as His people. Moses submitted to God’s leadership in his life while Pharaoh resisted God’s power. When we follow God’s leading we submit to His power and submit to His work through our lives. Like Moses, we need to allow God’s power to be displayed through us so others can know that the LORD alone is God. That is God’s power play.

For more see FEAR, FAITH & FOLLOWING

Prayer - When is enough?

4/11/2021

Ephesians 3:14-21
“Tell me when is enough?” At times we use this phrase to tell someone to stop. I remember times filling my brothers water glass that he was holding and saying, “Tell me when.” As the glass filled and neared the top he would say, “Stop” or “That’s enough.” However, I kept pouring because he did not use the word “when.” My brother would begin to panic and yell louder to stop, but I calmly kept pouring. Finally he would remember and holler “WHEN!” We would laugh and watch as he had to clean up the mess. To be partially full or totally full is one thing, but to be completely filled and overflowing is totally different. In Ephesians 3:19 Paul prays for the church to “be filled up to all the fullness of God.” This complete overflowing fullness is the result of a strong inner faith in God (16-17) and a deep growing understanding of Christ’s love (17-18). Like the Ephesian church we can only experience the fullness of a relationship with God when we believe God by faith and know that we are completely loved by Jesus Christ. God is pouring out His love into your life through Jesus Christ. Don’t tell Him to stop. Instead let Him full you to overflowing.

For more see EPHESIANS

Prayer for Transforming Knowledge

3/14/2021

Ephesians 1:15-23
After a long, dark, cold winter many people in the north often find themselves infected with Cabin Fever or Seasonal Affective Disorder. These two do not sound like real diseases but they affect many in the population. Each year numbers of people come down with the symptoms of irritability and depression which are the result of hours in a dark house isolated from the world. The cures are fairly simple… get outside and do something or at least turn on all the lights inside and use bright colors to decorate. Likewise, in Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul prays that the church will know about God and translate that into a deep relationship with God. He first praises them (15-16), then secondly he tells them what he is praying for them (17-23). He wants them to have the perspective of Godly hope, the value of Godly riches and the power of God’s strength. Paul prays that they will understand what they already have in Christ and that they would implement this knowledge in their life. Like the simple cures for the mid winter blues, Paul provides encouragement and prayer for others who need it. Like the Ephesian church, we also need the encouragement and prayer of others to motivate our spiritual growth. Who is praying for you? Who are you praying for?

For more see EPHESIANS

Mighty God: Big Gift Small Package

12/13/2020

Isaiah 9:6
I remember a Christmas long ago when my father gave each of us boys a big gift. I do not remember what the gift was, but I do remember that it was small. Now when you normally receive a gift at Christmas you expect to remove the wrapping paper and expose the gift. That was not that happened. You see my father was a wise man who liked to inject a bit of humor at unexpected times. This was one of those times. I removed one layer of paper only to expose a second and then a third layer. Then I found a box and upon opening the box I discovered more layers of wrapping paper and then another box. This process repeated itself numerous times. While my mix of frustration and anticipation increased so did the laughter from my father. He was thoroughly enjoying seeing his plan at work. In Isaiah 9:6 we see God do the opposite of my dilemma. Through Isaiah, God promised to send His presence and His power in the form of a child yet to be born. Isaiah foretold of a son who would be born who would be the Mighty God. Isaiah is making very clear that the baby born would be the God, who has the power to save His people. What situation in life are you facing that is overwhelming? God sent Jesus, just as Isaiah recorded, to be our Mighty God who saves us. I hope that this Christmas you see the small package that God sent but the big things He brings as Savior of the world.

For more see Isaiah

Strength of Faith

8/30/2020

Hebrews 11
The other day I listened to a chainsaw scream and watched as a landscape worker struggled to force the saw through the wood. The problem was that the chain was not sharpened correctly. In order not to bore you with the details there are two ways that a chainsaw needs sharpening. The first is the teeth must be razor sharp to cut. The second is to have the correct depth for cutting. An operator of an incorrectly sharpened chainsaw can force it through a cut but it will take longer and perhaps even break the saw. Likewise, faith that is done in our own strength is like trying to operate a chainsaw that is sharpened incorrectly or using a dull knife. It just does not cut. When we do not trust in the power and exactness of God we try to force the results of life in our own strength. Our lives and history are littered with examples of times when God was not trusted in faith. On the other hand, Hebrews 11 gives us a list of positive examples of faith. Let us, in faith, trust God and not our own strength.

For more see HEBREWS

Restoration for a Purpose

5/18/2020

2 Chronicles 7:14
Recently there has been an explosion of new TV shows dealing with home renovations. They may be from the simple one room job to the whole house. A time frame is given, the work begins and we watch the transformation take place before our eyes. The problem with a renovation is that the builder has to deal with the original building design. If any of that is changed … well the cost goes up. Upon examination of 2 Chronicles 7:14 we see that God is the one who acts to restore His people in response to their humility. The difficulty for us today is that we say we believe in the strength of God, but very often do not live as if God is strong enough to redeem and restore our lives for His purposes. God desires to return people to their original purpose as worshipers in relationship with Him. You may look around at your world right now and think it is a mess. God is in the business of redemption and restoration. By His strength He will do more than renovate. His work in our lives is always the very best.

For more see 2 Chronicles 7:14 Series

My Strength and My Song

5/6/2020

Exodus 15:1-7
I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine. His name is Horatio. He was a businessman in the Chicago area in the late 1800’s. However, there are three great tragedies that entered his life. The death of his young son, the Chicago fire of 1871 which destroyed his business and financial investments, and finally the death of his four young daughters. Several years after the fire he decided to go to Europe with his family but at the last minute he changed his mind and sent the family on ahead by boat while he dealt with some business affairs. During the ocean crossing there was a collision with another ship and for Horatio only his wife survived. In full disclosure, I have not actually met him but I appreciate the depth of his life that he has communicated. You see several weeks later as he traveled on the same ocean route and neared the spot where his four daughters died he wrote the words to a song that you should know. His name is Horatio Spafford and the title of the song is “It is Well With My Soul.” I would encourage you to find the song and review the words in light of Horatio’s story. He was a man of faith who had lost much in this life yet he confidently stated that all was well with his soul. He could agree with Moses and the people in Exodus 15:2 that the LORD is my strength and song and the LORD has become my salvation. Try finding a verse of scripture or good song like this one and let it continually roll through your mind today. Allow God to use the words to draw your thoughts to Him as the source of our salvation, hope and joy.

How far does oatmeal fly?

4/14/2020

Psalm 28
Have you ever had one of those mornings… I crawled out of bed and made my way to the kitchen for breakfast where nothing sounded overly appealing. To sooth and unenthused appetite I settled on a bowl of oatmeal. Simple enough…that is what you may think. I managed to locate the bowls in the cupboard and the oatmeal at the opposite end of the kitchen. So far so good as I scooped a half measured cup into the bowl. Then I moved to the sink to add water. Now you need to know that I have done this hundreds of times, but this time was different. As I added water the bowl slipped out of my hand and proceeded to empty its contents all over me and the counter. Now as you observe so far the contents are liquid thus the starchy mess did not stay on me but followed the gravitational pull toward the floor as it oozed over the edge of the counter and down the cabinet. That may be bad enough but the oatmeal fling is not over because somehow in process the bowl was not only dropped but spun. Now for the scientists in the audience there is a concept called centrifugal force where items that are spun get thrown outward from the center point. I hate science because I had oatmeal spread from one end of the kitchen to the other. As I stood there in my half asleep stupor I seriously contemplated going back to bed hoping that this would all go away by the time I got up tomorrow. Well after almost 30 minutes of cleaning and moping up sticky oatmeal with wet bath towels I had a load of wash to do. It was about that time that I decided that oatmeal is a very unhealthy breakfast item. I immediately changed the menu and made a waffle using pancake batter. I am so thankful that I can always find my strength and joy in the Lord as I trust Him each day (Psalm 28:7) and not in a bowl of oatmeal. Oh, you are still wondering how far does oatmeal fly? Sixteen feet… I measured.

Hot Water

4/2/2020

Colossians 1:13-18
Have you noticed the differences between a potato, an egg and coffee? On a simple observation the potato is firm all the way through, the egg has a tough exterior to protect a fragile interior and the coffee grounds are just small and lacking much substance. However, try placing each in a pan of boiling water for an hour. The firm potato turns to mush, the hard shelled egg becomes hard all the way through, but the coffee releases a wonderful aroma and flavor. When we face the trials of life an opportunity is placed before us to display what we are made of. Strength and strategy are used to describe a victor. This is true in a High School basketball game, politics, health or war. The strong one can be defeated if the opponent has a better strategy. The hot water of life’s strategic trials can turn our seeming firmness to mush that lacks any strength. The heat of trials can also turn those of us with a tough exterior shell into permanently hardened people with a hard heart. Or we can choose to be like coffee and allow the heat of trials to release the aroma and taste of Christ from our lives. Satan will attempt to use the trials to defeat us, but the believer displays that their strength is in the Lord.

In the book of Colossians we see that Paul, the author, is emphasizing the strength and strategy of Christ is all things. He is doing this to help a group of people that he has not met come to a correct understanding of God that leads to a correct practice of their faith. The church of Colossae has been infiltrated with false teachers and teachings stating that belief in Jesus is not enough. Paul begins his correction after giving a warm introduction (1:1-8) and a summary of the letter (1:9-10). Now in verses 13-18 Paul points out that Christ is superior in all areas of life. There should not be a separation of the sacred and the secular for the believer. Christ is to be supreme in the life of the believer in the good times and the hard times. Nothing is to be added and nothing more is needed. Is Christ your source of strength when you are in hot water? You see, when you are in hot water Christ has the best strategy to allow His strength to be seen through you.